The short answer
After a hard pothole hit, watch for the car pulling to one side, an off-centre steering wheel, vibration, a bulge on the tire sidewall, a bent rim, new clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear. Any of these means the tires, alignment or suspension should be inspected. A sidewall bulge needs attention right away.
Why Winnipeg roads are so hard on cars
Freeze-thaw cycles let water into cracks in the pavement, freeze, expand and break the road surface apart. Every spring thaw, and every mid-winter warm spell, opens up new potholes. A hard hit sends a sharp load through the tire, wheel, suspension and steering all at once.
The 7 signs to watch for
- The car pulls or drifts to one side on a straight road.
- The steering wheel is off centre when you drive straight.
- A new vibration through the steering wheel or seat.
- A bulge or bubble on the tire sidewall.
- A dented or bent rim, or a tire that keeps losing pressure.
- New clunks, knocks or rattles over bumps.
- Tires wearing faster on one edge.
Is a sidewall bulge dangerous?
Yes. A bulge means the internal structure of the tire is damaged, and it can fail without warning. Sidewall damage generally cannot be repaired. Drive gently, avoid highway speeds and have the tire inspected as soon as possible.
Alignment, suspension or tires: which one is it?
They are related but different jobs. A pothole can knock the alignment out, but it can also bend a tie rod or control arm, damage a ball joint or crack a wheel. Aligning a car with damaged parts will not hold. The right order is to inspect the tires, wheels and suspension first, repair anything damaged, then align.